Women’s Asia Cup | Record-eyeing India hope to turn the tables on Sri Lanka

Unbeaten India’s campaign has gathered momentum while Chamari Athapaththu’s side have have been typically resilient. Their semi-final against Pakistan was a case in point —from 5/2 inside two overs and 33/4 in the seventh, Sri Lanka found a way to chase down 131.

For India, the most compelling storyline has been Shafali Verma’s form. On wickets where stroke-making has often demanded patience, the opener has played with characteristic freedom, scoring 168 runs in four matches at a stunning strike rate of 169.69. Two of the knocks have been 64s for the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Shafali’s starts have given India the edge, while the other batters have struggled for consistency. Smriti Mandhana (154 runs, S/R 171.11) has blown hot and cold—producing a brilliant century but also two single-digit scores. If India are to dictate the tempo of the final, the opening pair could again hold the key.